The Sky Patrol Flying Ship could travel 100,000 li a day, but even so, it still took them more than ten days to fly from the Eastern Sheng Kingdom to Earth Province.
After entering the territory of Earth Province, it took another five days of flying before they finally saw the mountain range shrouded in Dark Clouds and Sha Qi —the location of the Soul Refining Sect.
The Flying Boat hovered in front of the Flight-Restricting Barrier outside the sect.
Zhang Lingyun turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Ye Liushang, Boundless Immortal Fairy, and the others before settling back on Zhang Yu. Her tone was calm yet undeniably authoritative:
"They are all Land Immortal Cultivation, and their origins are unknown."
Even though I am the lord of a peak, I cannot allow them to enter at will.
Even if you bring it in, it will cause countless troubles.
Ye Liushang shrugged and looked at Zhang Yu with a wry smile:
"We swore to protect you for ten years, but you're too much of a troublemaker. You're probably on the Confucianism wanted list now."
Although the Soul Refining Sect is a secluded place, our identities make it inconvenient for us to enter."
The Boundless Immortal Fairy also chimed in:
"The Soul Refining Sect has a profound foundation, and with the Heavenly Dao locked up, it can indeed protect you."
However, if you cause trouble within the sect, we may not be able to help you.
"Yes, in a place like that, even if something happens to you, we're too far away to help."
"We don't want to clash with the Soul Refining Sect..."
The twelve people talked amongst themselves, but the core message was the same: we're useless now, let us go.
Want to get out of this mess?
"It's not that easy."
Zhang Lingyun's voice was clear and articulate:
"You will be scattered and living in seclusion within a thousand miles of the Soul Refining Sect. If needed within ten years, I will contact you using Jade Token."
If nothing happens for ten years, the Oath will be dissolved, and you may do as you please.
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, thinking, "Twelve Land Immortal, and several fifth and sixth-rank beings—this force cannot be easily let go."
Seeing that her arrangements were flawless, Zhang Yu immediately replied, "Let's do it that way."
Although Ye Liushang and the others did not receive a promise of "freedom," they understood that this was the best outcome for the time being, and could only sigh.
"At worst, I'll live in seclusion for ten years. What's there to be afraid of?"
"Exactly, we've survived ten thousand years, ten years is nothing."
The group accepted their fate and stopped arguing.
"Okay, contact me via Jade Token pendant."
Ye Liushang shook his head, his figure flashed, and he disappeared into the horizon as a streak of light.
The others also left a message saying "Send a message if you need anything" and then dispersed.
In the blink of an eye, only Zhang Yu and Zhang Lingyun remained on the Flying Boat.
Zhang Lingyun looked at the Dark Clouds shrouding the mountains and said softly:
"It can't fly any further than this point."
The rules of the Soul Refining Sect prohibit outside Flying Boat from passing within a thousand miles; we have to walk there.
Zhang Yu: "..."
He looked at the rolling mountains shrouded in Sha Qi, then glanced at Zhang Lingyun, Cultivation Third Rank Land Immortal, beside him.
Thinking it's only a thousand miles, no big deal.
But after only a few steps, he was already a hundred feet away from Zhang Lingyun.
"Wait for me!"
Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and sped up, but no matter how hard he tried, he could never keep up with Zhang Lingyun's pace.
Zhang Lingyun is Land Immortal; although she appears to be walking, she is actually flying through the air, making it impossible for Zhang Yu to catch up.
The two walked one after the other along the rugged mountain path.
The closer Zhang Yu got to the mountain gate, the more pedestrians he noticed on the road.
A large number of young Martial Artist, some flying on weapons and others on foot, surged toward the Soul Refining Sect's mountain gate, their faces filled with anticipation and tension.
Zhang Yu stopped a passing cultivator and asked:
"Excuse me, what day is it today?"
Why are so many people going to the Soul Refining Sect?
Seeing his distinguished attire, the Martial Artist, though wary, still answered:
"Brother, are you from out of town?"
Today is the Soul Refining Sect's once-a-decade Disciple Selection Ceremony. Those who pass the test can enter the sect to cultivate and embark on the path to immortality!
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu's heart stirred.
The Disciple Selection Ceremony...
Zhang Yu followed Zhang Lingyun as they continued towards the mountain gate. The closer they got, the more crowded the crowd became.
The roadside was crowded with young cultivators who had come to participate in the Disciple Selection Ceremony. The lowest Cultivation was Grandmaster Realm, and there were many Feathered Realm who could fly.
As for whether there are even stronger Heaven Ascension Realm experts hidden within, Zhang Yu couldn't tell. He only felt that the threshold of the Soul Refining Sect was ridiculously high.
In front of the mountain gate, a dense, dark mass of people stretched out like a tide, numbering at least tens of thousands.
Amidst the crowd, disciples of the Soul Refining Sect, clad in long black robes, moved about, maintaining order.
They were all composed and steady, at least at the Feathered Realm, capable of flying through the air. Soul Bell hung from their waists, and a Yin Wind blew around them, clearly Cultivation their extraordinary cultivation.
Does the Soul Refining Sect recruit this many people every year?
Zhang Yu couldn't help but ask Zhang Lingyun in a low voice, secretly marveling at his own words.
The Soul Refining Sect opens its gates once every ten years, accepting only five hundred disciples each time.
Zhang Lingyun's tone was indifferent.
"Five hundred?
Wouldn't that mean only one out of a hundred people would be accepted?
Looking at the densely packed Great Grandmaster and Feathered Realm, Zhang Yu suddenly felt that the selection process for the Soul Refining Sect was even more dangerous than a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge.
"You're right, sir. We'll take one out of every hundred."
A slightly slick voice sounded from the side.
Zhang Yu turned his head and saw a man wearing a tattered black robe with a skull embroidered on his chest approaching.
He wore a smile, but his eyes were shrewd as he sized Zhang Yu up and down, talking incessantly:
"Young man, is this your first time here?"
Should I buy a 'Exam Intelligence Guide'?
It includes analyses of past exam questions, examiner preferences, and even a map of the exam venue, guaranteeing you'll achieve twice the results with half the effort!
As he spoke, he pulled out several yellowed rolls of paper from his sleeve, covered with dense writing, suggesting he was a professional in this business.
Just as Zhang Yu was about to refuse, several Inspection Squad Zilu, recognized him, and immediately laughed and scolded:
"Hey, isn't this 'All-Knowing' Lao Wu?"
They're selling fake information here again to fool newbies!
Old Wu wasn't annoyed; he just smiled and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
"Senior Brother Liu, you're wronging me."
This is genuine information, highly beneficial for exams, and I'm telling you the truth!
"What valuable information could a Servant Disciple you possibly have?"
Senior Brother Liu curled his lip in disdain.
"As a Servant Disciple, I naturally cannot compare to the knowledge and experience of an Outer Disciple like Senior Brother Liu."
But I've been in the Soul Refining Sect for thirty years, so I still have some skills I can show for myself."
Old Wu wasn't angry at being looked down upon; he still had a smile on his face.
The other party was Outer Disciple; he assumed that Servant Disciple wouldn't dare to offend him.
Senior Brother Liu scoffed even more upon hearing this. "You have the nerve to say that? You've been Servant Disciple for thirty years and still haven't broken through to become Outer Disciple. You'll probably be kicked out this year."
The Soul Refining Sect has a rule that all Servant Disciple who reach a certain age and are unable to become Outer Disciple will be expelled from the sect.
Old Wu's real name is Wu Siyuan. He was a prodigy in his time, becoming Great Grandmaster Servant Disciple of the Soul Refining Sect based on his strength.
However, due to special reasons, he has been unable to break through to the Ascension Realm. If he fails to break through again this year, he will be expelled from the sect.
Seeing that Wu Siyuan was already Late Grandmaster, yet was still Servant Disciple, Zhang Yu couldn't help but worry and asked Zhang Lingyun, "Um, am I going to have to start as Servant Disciple too?"
"No need, with me here, I'll at least get you the status of an inner disciple."
Zhang Lingyun was full of confidence; after all, she was the leader of a peak, and she certainly had that much power.
Wu Siyuan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, taking it all as Zhang Lingyun and Zhang Yu joking around.
How could Zhang Yu, a Great Early Grandmaster, possibly be considered inner disciple of the Soul Refining Sect?
Let alone inner disciple, even Servant Disciple cannot pass the test that a Great Early Grandmaster can take.
"Such arrogance."
Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Liu glared at him coldly, a mocking smile on his face.